Moose Jaw Express Pedersen Column

Reprinted with permission of the Moose Jaw Express newspaper:

1 – OUT OF THE HANGAR: The Moose Jaw Warriors will be glad to get home. After opening their annual west coast trip with a 3-2 victory at Prince George – their third victory in a row – The Tribe stumbled to losses in Victoria (4-3 in OT), Vancouver (10-3), Kelowna (8-5) and Kamloops (5-2). At press time, the Warriors were wrapping up the trip at Penticton before heading home to face the Wenatchee Wild on Nov. 18 at Temple Gardens Centre.

2 – THE STANDINGS: At 7-11-1, the Warriors stand 11th in the 11-team Eastern Conference but remarkably, are just four points out of a playoff spot. Even more remarkably, as the schedule approaches the two-month mark, only eight points separate the top eight teams. We’ll get to the rankings in a moment.

3 – ON THE BENCH: It’s been a rough go out west and that includes injuries. First year Warriors Assistant Coach Darrin McKechnie discussed it on the Mad Greek postgame show. “We’re down a couple of players,” Darrin told James Gallo on Country 100. “That happens to every team that goes on a six game road swing. That’s just the nature of the beast.” Penalties have been an issue too including giving up three powerplay goals in the blowout loss at Vancouver. “At the end of the day, a loss is a loss is a loss,” McKechnie continued. “Kinger (Head Coach Scott King) told ‘em as soon as their equipment’s off, this one’s over. Games like this happen, and we just need to get rid of it.”

4 – DUB POWER RANKINGS (EAST): 1) Red Deer, 2) Brandon, 3) Swift Current, 4) Regina, 5) Medicine Hat, 6) Calgary, 7) Saskatoon, 8) Lethbridge, 9) Edmonton, 10) Prince Albert, 11) Moose Jaw.

5 – POD SQUAD: If you’re looking for great WHL coverage, check out the new weekly podcast Dub Drop, hosted by two small town Saskatchewan boys – Landon Zalinko (Assiniboia, a Warriors fan) & Dawson Abbott (Wymark, a Broncos fan). I had the great honour of guesting on their latest episode and it was a great tour through the WHL’s East Division with some great old time storytelling. Well done men!  

6 – AG NIGHT: The Warriors and JGL are proud to bring Ag Night back to the Temple Gardens Centre to celebrate the people, businesses, and families who help make Moose Jaw and the surrounding area such a vibrant agricultural community. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to JGL and the Moose Jaw Warriors for selecting STARS as their charity of choice for the second year in a row,” said STARS president and CEO Dr. John Froh. “Funds raised through events like this ensure STARS can continue to reach communities across the prairies when and where we are needed most.”

7 – WINMAR WARRIORS: In Wilcox, the Winmar Warriors held off the Notre Dame Hounds for a 5-4 victory in their last game, Remembrance Day, in SMAAAHL action. Maxx Fuessel and Layne McKechnie scored first-period goals for Moose Jaw, while Decklin Larmer struck twice in the third period to help secure the win. Moose Jaw sits second place in the league at 13-2-0-1 and are now off until Nov. 20, when they open a two-game home set against the Prince Albert Bears at Temple Gardens Centre.

8 – SJHL POWER RANKINGS: 1) Warman, 2) Melfort, 3) Melville, 4) Humboldt, 5) Weyburn, 6) Flin Flon, 7) Nipawin, 8) Yorkton, 9) Estevan, 10) Kindersley, 11) Battlefords, 12) La Ronge. There’s wayyyyy more separation in this league! The Warriors are far from out of it in the Dub.

9 – ON ROUGHRIDERS: Very quiet around Riderville after the Green & White fell 33-26 at BC in the CFL Western Semifinal. Any buzz centres around the future of 40-year old QB Trevor Harris who’s yet to decide if he’ll return in 2027. Also a free agent is popular running back A. J. Ouellette. I’d be shocked if they’re both not back. While we’re waiting, you can join A.J. and crew of other football stars on the first-ever CFLPA Cruise in the Caribbean with Uniglobe Carefree Travel departing Feb. 20 from Fort Lauderdale! Book your cabin by calling Neal Chark at 604-767-2042.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: Huge kudos to Moose Jaw’s Teagan Witko for being named the new host of The SportsCage on 620 CKRM, the sports talkshow I launched way back on May 17, 2010! Teagan has worked so hard in this industry and represented her hometown so well. Can’t wait to listen! … No news is good news. … Consider the source. … There’s some real whackadoodles out there. Fortunately with social media, we can find out fast who they are! … Stanley Cup Final pick — Edmonton & Carolina. (Subject to change).

Y’er welcome,
RP

(For Moose Jaw sporting tips and scoops, email Rod at pedersenmedia@outlook.com)